10 Bird Products That Are a Total Waste of Money
Birdwatching—whether through a window, in the wild, or right in your living room—has a way of stealing your attention and your heart. But the charm fades fast when you’re weighed down by gear that promised greatness and delivered disappointment. Here’s a look at a few bird products that usually aren’t worth the squawk.
Small Bird Cages
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A tiny cage might look cute in your living room, but for your bird, it’s more of a feathered frustration zone. Birds are built to move—whether it’s a budgie zipping side to side or a parrot climbing like it’s training for a jungle gym. Cramped quarters can lead to crankiness, plucked feathers, and too much squawking.
Dowel Perches
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It’s like walking around in the same stiff shoes daily—no arch support, no wiggle room. That’s the deal with dowel perches. They might look tidy, but for birds, they offer zero excitement and even less foot support. Out in the wild, feet get a workout from knobby, uneven branches that keep muscles toned and boredom at bay.
Sand Perch Covers
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Try balancing on a cheese grater all day, and you’ll start to get why sand perch covers aren’t exactly a hit with birds. Sure, they’re pitched as nail trimmers, but that coarse surface can turn comfy perching into a full-time foot hazard. Toss in the risk of bits breaking off and getting swallowed, and it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Happy Huts
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Tents are great for camping trips, not cage décor. That squishy little hideaway has cozy fabric that turns into a chew toy before unraveling into thread traps and tummy trouble. Some birds even get a little too comfortable and turn hormonal in their plush “nest.”
Cotton Rope Toys
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Cotton rope toys are prime chew targets for curious beaks. Once they fray, it’s like leaving shoelaces around a toddler: tempting, risky, and a tangle waiting to happen. Loose fibers can trap toes or end up in bellies, which can lead to problems no bird—or bird owner—wants.
Grit
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Seed shells don’t stand a chance against a parrot’s beak, and birds can handle their own food prep; no grit is required. Tossing grit into the mix can actually gum up the works and lead to painful blockages. Even worse, some commercial grits contain dusty additives that can mess with your bird’s health.
Bird Litter
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A sprinkle of walnut shells or scented pellets might seem like a clever way to keep a birdcage tidy, but it’s more illusion than solution. Many bird litters come packed with additives like baking soda or perfumes that can mess with delicate respiratory systems or upset digestion if nibbled.
Bath Sprays
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A spritz here, a spritz there—next thing you know, your bird’s spa day is actually just a chemical bath. Many of these products sneak in ingredients like isopropyl alcohol and artificial dyes—stuff that doesn’t belong anywhere near a bird’s lungs or beak. Beyond the label claims, sprays can mess with natural feather oils and leave skin dry or irritated.
Dewormers
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Unless your bird’s been mingling with wild flocks or taking unsupervised strolls through the backyard, chances are it doesn’t need a dewormer. The parasite risk is low for most indoor birds, especially solo fliers. Using dewormers “just in case” can throw off gut balance and spark side effects. It can even make real treatments less effective down the line.
Nesting Boxes
Credit: flickr
Nesting boxes are not always the simple fix they seem. Sure, they can help with shelter and breeding, but a poorly designed or neglected box can backfire. Boxes placed in the wrong spots can attract the wrong tenants, crowd out native species, or create chaos in the local ecosystem.
Mirror Toys
Credit: Walmart
A shiny mirror is a drama magnet for many birds. Mirror toys often trick birds into thinking their reflection is a new buddy—or even a mate. Then comes the obsessive regurgitation, mood swings, and all-out territorial drama. Some birds get so fixated that they forget how to interact with real companions.
Yogurt or Honey Covered Treats
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Birds don’t have the gut tools to handle dairy, and yogurt can leave their tiny systems in chaos. Honey sounds wholesome, but it’s risky business—botulism spores and high sugar levels aren’t exactly feather-friendly. These treats might also steal your bird’s appetite for real nutrition.
Bell Toys
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Many bells have flimsy parts that curious beaks love to pry apart—sometimes swallowing pieces in the process. Some even contain metals that can leach toxins with every bite. Birds love noise, no doubt, but safer, sturdier options like stainless steel toys give them the fun without the fallout.
Plastic Food Bowls and Water Tubes
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It starts shiny, smooth, and harmless—like the Tupperware of the bird world—but plastic bowls and water tubes age fast in a busy cage. Over time, tiny scratches and cracks become home to bacteria and mold, even with regular scrubbing. Some plastics also leach chemicals into food and water, which is never ideal for a sensitive system.
Vitamins or Supplements
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For birds on a well-balanced pelleted diet, adding supplements is like doubling up on something they already have plenty of. Extra vitamin A or D might not seem like a big deal, but too much can quietly wreak havoc on the liver or kidneys. A carefully chosen diet does more than supplements ever could.